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Versatility
of the Swissy
One of the benefits to owning a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is that they
are versatile companions. There are many activities that you and your dog can
participate in. They are working dogs and they like to work! Whether it is
conformation showing, obedience work, carting, herding or therapy work - getting
involved with your dog is a lot of fun and helps to build a strong relationship
between you and your best friend! Training is always in important part of all
events.
Conformation | Obedience
| Weight Pulling | Pack Dog
Carting/Drafting | Therapy |
Tracking | Herding |
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Conformation
Showing of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
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- The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is in the working group. In order to show
your Swissy in conformation it needs to be on a "full"
registration. This is usually a Swissy that was purchased as a "show
potential" dog. Conformation showing is what leads a dog to a
championship. Dogs enter and compete at AKC sanctioned dog shows with the
goal of attaining a total of 15 points (with two majors). When the goal is
attained the dog is awarded the title of Champion. A show Swissy needs to
meet and exceed the AKC standard for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. This
dog will be structurally sound.
- Training and socialization are key factors in a show dog. Conformation
training includes walking (gaiting) on a leash, standing for examination,
and exhibiting a certain flare of animation. Conformation showing can be
very rewarding for the owner/handler. Most owners enjoy handling their dogs
in the ring. The dogs are clean and groomed when presented to the judge.
Good grooming also ensures a healthy dog. A conformation trained dog is also
a steady, well behaved dog. Many Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have become
champions as their owners have learned, trained and enjoyed conformation dog
showing.
- When looking for a training class, look for one with a positive approach.
Swissies should be happy in the ring and they love the praise and
attention.
- Dog shows usually require that you complete an entry form a few weeks in
advance. To find out more information about dog shows in your area, contact
the dog show superintendents listed below.
Web sites of dog show superintendents serving the Midwest.
Swissies have successfully competed in AKC obedience shows. Both males and
females have earned CD and CDX titles. While few Swissies are shown in
obedience it is due in part to the rarity of the breed. Their intelligence
and willingness to please make them good candidates for competition.
Positive reinforcement methods are always recommended. Swissies enjoy
rewards, even if it is only a enjoyable time spent with the owner.
There are many training classes available. When looking for a dog training
class, it is best to observe a class first. Take notice of how the
instructors react to the dogs and owners. Look for positive training
methods. Puppy classes (aka puppy kindergarten) are excellent as long as the
methods are positive and fun with an emphasis on socialization.
A Greater Swiss Mountain Dog with a limited registration can compete in
AKC obedience events.
If you think you are interested in competing with your Swissy in AKC
obedience events, you can obtain a free copy of the AKC Obedience Rules and
Regulations from:
American Kennel Club
5580 Centerview Drive Ste 200
Raleigh, NC 27606-3390
Web sites of interest:
Swissies were historically used to pull carts. They are a natural, providing
you start with caution and train carefully. Often training required patients as
the dog needs to become familiar with the cart as well as the physical
conditioning that is needed. Start out slowly and make sure that the dog is
enjoying the activity. A Swissy's tail should wag as he proudly pulls his cart
along.
Carting is an activity Swissies and owners can enjoy. Some dogs are naturals
and can be pulling within a few hours, while others may take several weeks to
become comfortable. Make sure your dog is comfortable with the equipment before
you attempt to have him pull. As always make sure your dog is in good physical
condition before attempting to pull. It is also recommended that your Swissy be
full grown and structurally sound before pulling any weight.
How to get started;
- Select a well fitting harness. Always measure and order per the
suppliers instruction.
- Show the harness to your dog and slowly put it on the dog, praising him
the entire time. Do this several times per day. Praise and reward! Always
make it fun.
- When your Swissy is comfortable and enjoys the harness, leave it on for
slightly longer time periods. Always making sure he is happy and steady.
- When he is comfortable wearing the harness, go for a walk with the cart.
However, you pull the cart. Do not hook the dog up to the cart yet. As you
pull the cart the dog learns what noise to expect from the cart. You might
need an assistant for this part.
When your dog is happy wearing the harness and does not mind the sound of the
cart, then he is ready to pull the cart.
- Always have your Swissy on a leash when you start as some will be more
cautious and require more encouragement. Remember to reward and be positive.
Before using the cart, hook the dog up to a lighter load such as milk jug
filled with water. This way the dog learns to feel the weight behind him and
knows it is ok to pull it around.
- Make sure that the dog is always aware of what you are doing and where you
are located. The dog will need to get used to the feel of the pressure on
the harness as if he is pulling the cart. Sometimes it is helpful for a
helper to be behind the dog, holding the ends of the harness straps so the
dog gets used to the idea of weight and pull behind him.
- Introduce your dog to the shafts. These are the poles that run alongside
the dog and connect to the cart. Try to do this first without the cart so
the dog can get used to the shafts and the feel they have on his sides. Walk
the dog with the harness on, and be sure the dog is in complete control.
Have a helper walk along the other side of the dog with the shaft. Slowly
allow the shaft to touch the dog, gently bumping and applying pressure to
the dog's sides where the shaft will rest. Reward the dog and encourage him.
Walk a straight line. Don't attempt corners or cures right away, as there is
more pressure with these motions and the dog will not be ready for this
until he has mastered straight lines. Praising as you go, remember, they
need to know the shaft will not hurt them.
- When the dog is comfortable with the shafts and remains happy you may
introduce the cart. The dog should remember the noise and fun you had before
with your walks where you pulled the cart. When you feel your dog is ready,
hook up the cart to the shafts and dog, always keeping the dog on a leash.
- Have the dog stand and let your helper bring the cart forward, driving it
up behind the dog, so that your dog is between the shafts. Before you
actually hook the shafts on to the dog, walk along while your helper holds
the shafts and pulls the cart, gently bumping the dog on both sides. At this
point if the dog shows any fear, instruct your helper to stop, while you
walk the dog out of the shafts and cart. Try again another day.
- If the dog is still steady and happy then have the helper slide the shafts
in the loops and let the dog feel the shaft weight. Do not ask the dog to
pull, just reward and praise as he adjusts to the feel of the weight.. Hold
him steady and praise him. Again if the dog shows any fear, unhitch and try
again another day.
When your dog is happy and steady in all the above steps, then you may
hitch the dog to the cart. Placing the shafts in the loops of the harness and
attaching the traces. Have your helper stand next to the cart with one hand on
the shaft, ready to release the dog should any fear develop. Remember this is
to be a fun event for you and your dog. If he does not enjoy it, don't rush
him.
When the cart is hitched up, have the dog pull forward. Stay in a straight
line as he will have to learn the corners. Praise as you go. Keep the first
attempts short and fun. Gradually add distance and corners and curves to your
course. It takes time and patients to train a Swissy to cart. Basic obedience
commands can be added as you get going. Have fun and always make sure your
Swissy is also having fun!.
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Carting can be fun!
The equipment and proper sizing is very important to the comfort and
safety of your dog.
Ikon Outfitters Ltd.
7597 Latham Road
Lodi, WI 53555
phone: 608-592-4397
Dog Works, Inc.
317 Curvin Drive
Stewertstown, PA 17363
Phone: 1-800-787-2788
Other carting web sites:
Carting Web Site
This site also has information on Carting-L, a mailing list for those
interested in the sport of carting with their dogs (not sponsored by the LSGSMDC, Inc.).
Therapy Work with
the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
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Many people use their Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs as therapy dogs. A Swissy
as a therapy dog provides short-term emotional support. Opportunities exist for
sharing your dog with others, including visiting hospitals, hospices, nursing
homes, retirement homes, mental health centers and schools. It is in these
settings that a Swissy can really shine. The use of dogs in therapy is becoming
more popular as the benefits to patients, students and residence are noticed.
Not all dogs are able to do therapy work. Basic training and socialization
are a must. While many people take their dogs on an informal, individual basis
to these institutions, there are definite advantages to being certified. A
certified therapy dog is a trained and tested dog.
For a dog to become a certified therapy dog it will have been tested and
evaluated by a third party. The certifying organizations also provide insurance
for you when you visit an institution. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a very
large dog that may accidentally knock over a small child or step on an elderly
person's foot. Many institutions will no longer allow canine visits without
proof of such insurances. This is especially true of any government run
institution. .
There are two different certification agencies. To become certified with
either TDI or Delta Dog, you and your dog must pass a test given by a Certified
Evaluator of the organization you select. The test is an adaptation of the AKC
Canine Good Citizen Test. Most of it is basic obedience and manners that
includes: walk on loose lead, sit and down on command, stay, come when called,
reaction to another dog, reaction to sudden noise and movement, sit politely for
petting, accept grooming and supervised isolation. At various points in the
test, wheelchairs, canes, crutches and walkers will be introduced. These are all
things a therapy dog will encounter in it's work. For Delta Dog certification,
the handler must also pass a written test, questions based on a handbook
provided by Delta.
When a dog passes the testing they become a certified therapy dog. However, a
dog that passes the testing, but never provides the service is not a therapy
dog. Both organizations stress that Therapy Dog or Pet Partner is not a title. A
true therapy dog is a working dog, visiting institutions and providing emotional
support.
For more information:
Therapy Dog International, Inc.
6 Hilltop Road
Mendham, NJ 07945
(201) 543-0888
tdi@gti.net
Delta Society Pet
Partners
289 Perimeter Road East
Renton, WA 98055
(800) 869-6898
Therapy Dogs Inc.
PO BOx 5868
Cheyenne, WY 82003
(307) 638-3223
Tracking
with the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
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Check back soon!
Herding
with the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
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Many Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have a natural instinct to herd livestock.
The dogs with this instinct love to work and move the livestock. Herding can be
fun and rewarding to do with your dog. Often times people do not have livestock
readily available so they must consult a herding instructor or farmer that will
allow the dog to work the stock. Some of the stock that the dogs can herd
include sheep, geese, ducks, goats and in some cases cattle.
There are both tests and trials that Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can compete
in to earn titles and demonstrate their accomplishments and skills. The AHBA
(American Herding Breed Association) offers different levels of tests for
beginner herders. There are also many stock associations across the country that
offer tests and trials.
Historically the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was used to assist the farmer on
the farm with chores. Many times this included the herding of the
livestock. The Swissy is a natural drover.
Herding
Site - Information on herding and your dog.
AHBA
web site -
American Herding Breed Association.
Rally-O
with the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
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Check back soon!
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©2006
Lake Shore Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club, Inc.
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